Recreation
Know before you go. Take a look at Current Conditions below the Recreation Map.
The Columbia River Gorge receives a high volume of visitors and popular sites can get crowded. Please consider a few "Plan B" options in case your first choice is too crowded when you arrive. Please visit ReadySetGorge interagency website to plan your trip.
Interactive Recreation Map of Forest Service sites
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Angel's Rest Trail (#415) | Open | |
BZ Launch Site & Trail (#4413) | Open | Boat launch, take-outs and trail are open for use. One vault restroom open year-round. |
Balfour-Klickitat Area & Trail (#4414) | Open | |
Bonneville Trailhead | Open | |
Bridge Of The Gods Trailhead | Open | 11/14/23: Restrooms are closed for the season. A valid recreation pass is required for parking. Fee tube is out of service; cash not accepted. Use QR code on bulletin board to pay or purchase a pass at Columbia Market in Cascade Locks |
Cape Horn Overlook | Open | |
Cape Horn Trail (#4418) | Open | Seasonal closure on lower loop in effect Feb 1 to Jul 15 to protect peregrine falcon nesting habitat. (See closure area on posted signs.) |
Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail (#4400) | Open | A fallen tree is blocking the "connector" trail within the trail system. Trail Crew has been alerted. (2/22/24) |
Catherine Creek Loop | Open | |
Catherine Creek Recreation Area | Open | |
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center | Open | The Discovery Center is open daily 9am-5pm. Call for more information (541) 296-8600. |
Coyote Wall Recreation Area | Open | |
Devils Rest Trail (#420C) | Open | |
Dog Creek Falls Observation Site | Open | |
Dog Mountain | Open | |
Eagle Creek Campground | Closed | 10/1/23 Closed for the season; make reservations at Recreation.gov.Opens 5/1/24 |
Eagle Creek Day Use Area | Open | A valid recreation pass is required. |
Eagle Creek Overlook Group Campground | Closed | 10/1/23 Closed for the season; make reservations at Recreation.gov.Opens 5/1/24 |
Eagle Creek Trailhead & Trail (#440) | Open | A valid recreation pass is required. |
Gorge 400 (MP 15 - 19.5) John Yeon to Wahclella | Open | |
Gorge 400 Trail | Open | |
Gorton Creek Trail (#408) | Open | South of the intersection with the Deadwood Trail the trail is unmaintained, extremely brushy, and difficult to follow. |
Herman Creek Campground/Horse Camp | Closed | Closed for site restoration. Est. re-opening in 2025 |
Herman Creek Trail (#406) | Open | |
Herman Creek Trailhead | Open | A valid recreation pass is required for parking. |
Historic Columbia River Highway | Open | |
Horsetail Falls & Trail (#438) | Open | Switchbacks near the intersection with Oneonta Trail have been severely damaged by treefall. Bypass with caution. (2/22/24) |
Husum Boating Site | Open | |
Klickitat Trail | Open | Open for day use only. |
Klickitat Wild & Scenic River | Open | |
Larch Mountain | Open | Larch Mountain Road is managed by Multnomah County. CLOSED FOR THE WINTER 11/27/23check current status here. |
Larch Mountain Trail (#441) | Open | Larch Mountain Road is managed by Multnomah County, SCHEDULED TO CLOSE FOR THE WINTER 11/27/23 check current status here. . There is a landslide above the intersection with the 420 (Wahkeena) Trail. Cross with extreme caution. There is also a slide on the Wahkeena Trail near Fairy Falls. If you are attempting the loop hike from Multnomah Lodge to Wahkeena Trailhead, you will encounter this slide. Use extreme caution if attempting to cross. We have received reports of a logjam causing the creek to flow over the trail just below Weisendanger Falls. Expect fallen trees. |
Lower Punchbowl Trail (#440B) | Open | Be extremely cautious when attempting to cross Eagle Creek to reach Punch Bowl. |
Lyle Trailhead | Open | 11/16/23: Flush restrooms closed for the season but portable toilets are on site. |
Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness: Columbia Gorge | Open | Parts of the wilderness are closed due to post-fire hazards. Plan your hike carefully, and check specific trails for status. Do not hike off trail and respect closure signs. |
Metlako Falls Spur Trail (#440A) | Closed | Trail no longer exists due to cliff collapse. |
Moffett Creek Trail (#430) | Closed | Closed due to hazards and unstable conditions. |
Mount Defiance Trail (#413) | Open | Expect rugged conditions |
Multnomah Falls | Open | |
Multnomah Falls Lodge | Open | |
Nesmith Point Trail (#428) | Open | |
Nick Eaton Trail (#447) | Open | Avoid during high winds and heavy rains due to tree fall and landslide hazards. |
Northwestern Park | None | Northwestern Park, owned and operated by PacifiCorp Power, provides public access to the White Salmon Wild and Scenic River with a boat ramp and picnic facilities. |
Oneonta Trail (#424) | Open | Oneonta Trail is open. ONEONTA GORGE (separate from the trail) is closed until further notice. |
Oneonta Trailhead | Open | Oneonta Trail is open. ONEONTA GORGE remains closed. |
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (#2000) | Open | |
River Front Trail (#4406) | Open | |
Sams Walker Day Use Area & Trail (#4402) | Open | A valid recreation pass is required |
Sandy River Delta | Open | Site is for day use only. Must keep dogs on leash in parking lot and surrounding area as well as confluence trail. Do NOT park in trailer parking area (unless you have an RV or trailer). A valid recreation pass is required. |
Skamania Lodge | None | |
St. Cloud Day Use Area & Trail (#4410) | Open | |
Starvation Ridge Trail (#414) | Open | This trail is only accessible via Mt. Defiance Trail Trail #413 as the old cutoff trail (414A) is currently closed. |
Wahclella Falls Trail (#436) | Open | 7/28/23: We are unable to accept cash at this site. A valid recreation pass is required or scan the QR code at the trailhead to pay once you arrive.Parking is limited; do not leave any items of value in your vehicle. |
Wahkeena Falls | Open | Gates and restrooms closed. opens 5/1/24. |
Wahkeena Trail (#420) | Open | 2/18/24: Landslide above Fairy Falls (approximately 2.0 miles from trailhead)has blown-out trail switchbacks. No timeline for repairs. Trail is not officially closed but access is not recommended. Cross slide with extreme caution. |
White Salmon Wild & Scenic River | Open | |
Wyeth Campground | Closed | 10/1/23 Closed for the season; make reservations at Recreation.gov.Opens 5/1/24 |
Wyeth Trail (#411) | Open |
Alerts & Warnings
- Dog Mountain Permits
- Lower Cape Horn Trail Seasonal Closure
- Concept Development for Mosier to The Dalles Trail Underway
- Effective Jan 1, 2024-October 20, 2024: Eagle Creek Fire Closure
- Drones prohibited in wilderness and select recreation sites
- Klickitat Mile One Overnight Use & Large Boat Launch Prohibition
- Guard against car theft
- Check road and weather conditions